Whether you're planning a major renovation or simply looking for fresh inspiration, the Home & Garden Show is full of ideas. As the reimagined successor to the beloved Festival of Flowers, the event brings innovative interior design and landscaping trends to the forefront while continuing its longstanding commitment to the community. Proceeds still support the USA Health ECMO program, helping advance lifesaving care across the region.

We caught up with one of the event’s planners, Casey Hitson, to learn more about what visitors can expect at this year’s show. Take a look at what’s in store.


VM: Please introduce yourself.

CH: Hey! I’m Casey Hitson, the Senior Associate Director of the Providence Foundation and one of the event planners for the Home & Gardens Show.

 

VM: Please tell us more about the Home & Gardens Show.

CH: So the Home & Gardens Show is going to be a highly curated event of over 40 dealers from across the country. They’re going to bring rugs, jewelry, sterling silver and home decor. We’re also going to have a preview party on Thursday night, a bourbon tasting on Friday night and two featured lectures, so it’s going to incorporate a lot of different things. The Home & Gardens Show’s proceeds are going to support the ECMO program at USA Health Providence Hospital. The ECMO program is a life-saving new program and technology. It’s the first in our region for critically ill patients.

VM: How does the Home & Gardens Show differ from the Festival of Flowers?

CH: The Home & Gardens Show is completely reimagined. It’s going to pay homage to the Festival of Flowers and the wonderful event it was for 30 years in our community, but this is something that incorporates a lot more aspects of the home. So, think interior design, garden and landscape. It’s kind of a full picture versus just gardening.

 

VM: What are you personally most excited for guests to see?

CH: I’m excited for them to see the variety of dealers that we have. It’s not going to be what people expect when you hear “home and garden.” I think people think of home expos, like renovations or windows and that sort of thing, but it’s completely different. It’s interior design and a wide spread of dealers that we have. Most of these dealers are sourcing these things from not just the US, but internationally as well. We got to talk to a lot of the dealers at other shows and they’re going to France, London and India and other places for these pieces, so it’s going to be a really neat experience for people here to get to shop for things they normally wouldn’t get to shop for. 

VM: Describe the vibe of this year’s event in three words.

CH: Elevated, inspiring and impactful.

 

VM: What experience do you hope attendees walk away with?

CH: I hope people are inspired by the event. I hope they get excited to do more with their homes and with their gardens. I hope they purchase lots of beautiful pieces and want to come back next year. I hope they know they’re supporting something great in our community.

 

VM: What current home and/or garden trend are you loving right now?

CH: The trend I’m loving right now is the mix of traditional and modern. So, merging the two! It doesn’t have to be one or the other. It can be a collection of just pieces that you love and I think that what home and gardens both represent. It’s you and your individual style. It’s about what you like.

 

VM: Quick game of rapid fire! Morning garden coffee or sunset patio cocktail?

CH:  Ooh. I’ll have to go with the sunset patio cocktail.  

 

VM: Vintage finds or brand new pieces?

CH: We have to go with vintage finds for the Home & Gardens Show. 

 

VM: Modern minimal or Southern charm?

CH: Definitely going with Southern charm!